Drive mechanism and sign actuated thereby



March 24, 194 H. u. HJERMSTAD ETAL I 3 3 DRIVE MECHANISM AND SIGNACTUATED THEREBY Filed Aug. 2, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 24, 1942. H.u. HJERMSTAD ET AL 2,277,323

DRIVE MECHANISM AND SIGN ACTUAIED THEREBY Filed Aug. 2, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1942. H. u. HJERMSTAD ETAL 2,277,323

DRIVE MECHANISM ANDSIGN ACTUATED THEREBY Filed Aug. 2, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 3 March 24, 1942. HJERMSTAD ETAL 2,277,323

DRIVE MECHANISM AND SIGN ACTUATED THEREBY Filed Aug. 2, 1940 I 4Sheets-Sheet-4 Z/VI/ENTOH6. ficz/zal/lg ernwiczd J Car Jfiopp B m :M' JM 7. 2 w

Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRIVE MECHANISM ANDSIGN ACTUATED THEREBY Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,558

7 Claims. (Cl. 4076) Our invention relates in general to display devicesand has more particular reference to change-sign devices whereinoperable display mechanism is provided for successively presentingvarious different displays.

An important object of the present invention is to provide change-signmechanism of simple, rugged character adapted for easy assembly; afurther object being to utilize turnable members in adjacentrelationship for carrying change-sign material on the surfaces thereoffor display purposes; a still further object being to utilize elongatedprismatic members having surfaces for receiving the display materialthereon.

Another important object resides in providing improved means for turningelongated faceted display members for the purpose of successivelypresenting the faces thereof in a predetermined direction; a furtherobject being to utilize a slotted driving disk on the turnable member inposition to cammingly receive a driving pin for accomplishing turningmovement.

Another important object resides in providing means for latching thefaceted display member against turning movement when in one displayposition and for releasing the same to permit the turning thereof toanother display position.

Another important object resides in providing improved driving means forprogressively turning a rotatable element through a predetermined angleof rotation; a further object being to utilize a disk formed withcircumferentially opening slots disposed in position therein subtendingangles corresponding with the angular movement required in the turnableelement; a still further object being to utilize, in combination withthe slotted driving disk, a pin rotatable about a fixed center inposition so that the pin may enter and leave radially extending slotsformed in a driving disk, whereby to progressively turn the disk throughangles corresponding with the spacement of the slots in the disk.

Another important object is to provide mechanism for simultaneouslyturning a plurality of adjacently mounted members through equal anglesof rotation and to latch the members against turning movement during theinterval between successive turning action, whereby surfaces of saidmembers may be successively arranged to face a predetermined directionand thus present different display surfaces successively in displayposition.

These and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherentfunctions of the invention will become apparent as the same is morefully understood from the following description, which, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferredembodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sign containing display mechanismembodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation view of the mechanism shown'in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 inFigure 2;

Figure 5 shows the invention diagrammatically as applied for driving arelatively large number of turnable elements;

Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form of theinvention, particularly well suited for driving small, light weightmembers;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 'I'l inFigure 6;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic sectional View taken substantially along theline 8--8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detail plan view of a modified form of operating ordriving mechanism; and

Figure 10 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the structure shownin Figure 9.

To illustrate the invention, we have shown on the drawings a sign llcomprising a frame providing a display opening I3, in whichsign-carrying means is disposed in position to be viewed through theopening from the front of the sign. The display means comprises aplurality of adjacent parallel members I5. These members compriseelongated prisms of triangular sectional configuration, being mounted inany suitable position, but which are shown vertical in the presentembodiment. The members [5 are arranged in adjacent position in theopening I3 for turning movement on the axes of the prisms. By turningthe prisms, the surfaces thereof may be successively presented inposition facing through the opening I3, and it will be obvious that thealigned surfaces of all of the members l5 forms a composite surface onwhich a sign may be displayed. It is obvious also that each face of themember If: may be utilized as a display surface when in alignment withcorresponding faces of the other members, so that where triangularprisms are used, the assembly provides surfaces for three separatesigns.

Each member [5 preferably comprises a prismatic body of triangularsectional configuration, which body may be formed of any suitable orpreferred material, such as wood, or hollow sheet metal construction maybe utilized. The members l5 may be pivoted by any suitable or pre ferredmeans in a frame which may form a part of the sign II.

It will be understood that for change-sign purposes, it is desirable toturn the members l5 in unison through equal angles in order successivelyto align the several faces of the members IS in displaying position, andto this end, all of the members [5 are driven from suitable motive means49, which serves to drive cam pin means 55 in a circular path 5|. Thepin means 55 is adapted at intervals to drivingly engage cam followingmeans 5! and move the same through a predetermined angular displacement.The cam follower means 57, being drivingly connected with the elementsl5, cause the same to turn angularly, the resulting displacement of thedisplay members [5 corresponding with the angular movement imparted tothe follower means 5'! by the pin means 55.

In order to latch the members 15 in display position, I provide latchpin means 59 in position to co-operate with the cam follower means 51and latch the same against rotation, thereby latching the members I5connected therewith against turning movement during the period when thepin means 55 is drivingly disengaged from the cam follower means 51.Means is provided, however, for releasing the latch means 59 by actionof the driving means 55 just before the same enters driving engagementwith the follower means 51, the latch controlling means being adapted toreturn the latch means to latching position as the driving means 55passes away from driving relationship with the follower means 51.

The follower means 51 preferably comprises a disk drivingly connectedwith one or more of the members !5 and formed with preferably equallyspaced, radially extending slots 6| opening at the peripheral edge ofthe disk at equally spaced points on the disk. The circular path 5!,along which the cam means 55 is driven by the motor 49, has a radiussuch that the circular path of movement 5| is tangential with respect tothe slots 5| at the edge of the disk 51. The disk 51 is also mounted inposition spaced from the center of the path 5i such that two of theslots 6| are tangential with respect to the path 5|, the disk beingpreferably latched in such position so that the cam pin 55, in travelingthe path 5|, may enter one of the slots El tangentially, the pin 5simultaneously releasing the latch means 59, which conveniently maycomprise a pin seating in another of the slots 6|.

After entering a slot 6|, continued movement of the pin 55 on thecircular path 5| will cause the disk 5'! to turn about its center due tothe camming action of the pin 55 in the slot. During one-half of theturning movement imparted to the disk 51 as a result of the entry of thepin 55 in a slot 6!, the pin 55 will move into the slot and willaccelerate the disk 51 from a stationary position to maximum speed,which will occur when the disk reaches a position in which the slot 6|,containing the pin 55, is in alignment with the center of rotation ofthe driving pin 55. Thereafter the continued movement of the pin 55 inthe path 5| will result in the withdrawal of the pin from the slot SIand, at the same time, turning movement of the disk 57 will bedecelerated to standstill condition, which occurs as the pin leaves theslot. As the pin leaves the slot, the latching means 59 is released andpermitted to enter one of the slots 6| in order to latch the disk 51against rotation until the pin 55 again enters a tangentially disposedslot El.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the pin 55 enters a slot 6|,which is in position to recoive the pin, thereby turning the disk 5'! toarrange th slot in pin-releasing position, in which position anotherslot 6! will have been arranged in pin-receiving position, each slotthus successively operating to receive and release the driving pin andto receive and release the latch means 59. It will be noted also thatthe mechanism operates to accelerate turning movement during the initialstages of the operating cycle, the pin operating to decelerate or braketurning movement during the concluding stages of the operating cycle.This feature is of particular advantage where relatively heavy membersare successively started and stopped. The arrangement insures smoothoperation and does not require heavy duty braking mechanism such as isrequired where the driving mechanism merely serves to impart turningmovement. In the present arrangement, the driving mechanism not onlyimparts turning movement but also serves as a brake, thereby conservingenergy and insuring substantially vibrationless operation.

As shown more particularly in Figure 2 of the drawings, each member I 5is fitted at one end with a pin l'l extending in position to be turnablyreceived in a journal l9 formed in a frame 2| which is secured on thesign preferably at the edge of the opening [3. The other end of themember i5 likewise is fitted with means for turnably supporting thesame, and to this end, I have shown, in Figure 2 of the drawings, asleeve-like member 23 fastened in the end of the member l5 in positionto drivingly receive one end of a shaft 25 which extends in a bearing27, the opposite end of the shaft 25 being fitted with a bevel gear 29.The bearing 21 is supported on a frame (H which may be formed as a partof the Sign H, and I prefer to provide roller bearing means 33interposed between the facing ends of the sleeve 23 and the bearing 21in position to act as a step bearing to permit the supported member l5to turn freely when driven by the shaft 25.

It will be understood from the foregoing that each of the members I 5will be similarly mounted for turning movement on the frames 2i and 3|and that each will be provided with a gear 29. The gears 29 each aredrivingly engaged by corresponding bevel pinions 35 mounted on acountershaft 3? which also carries a driving gear 39 drivingly connectedthereon. The gear 39, in turn, is drivingly engaged with a pinion 4| ona drive shaft 43 which is suitably journaled, as at 45, on a frame 4?.The frame 41 may be supported on the sign structure H and carries motormeans 49 which furnishes the power for turning the members !5. The motor49 is drivingly connected to turn an arm. 53 carrying the pin means 55in the circular path 5|. This, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, isaccomplished by drivingly connecting the motor 49 with a suitablereduction gear 63 having a projecting shaft 65 on which the arm 53 isfastened. The cam follower disk 5? comprises a plate fastened on theshaft 43, the slots 5! being formed on the face of the plate.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the latch means 59comprises a roller mounted on a plate 66 which is pivoted, as at 51, onthe frame 41. The plate 66 has a cam portion 69 extending in position toengage a roller H which is mounted on the arm 53, said roller serving toturn the plate 66 in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Figure 3 ofthe drawings, as the cam member 55 enters the slot 6I. Counterclockwisemovement of the plate 66 will cause the roller 59 to move out oflatching position in the non-tangential slot BI and thus release thedisk 51 for rotation under the driving influence of the cam roller 55.

Ordinarily the motor means 49 will be in continuous operation under thecontrol of a master switch, which may be either arranged for manualoperation or for automatic operation under the control of a timingdevice. The switch 13 may be connected in parallel or shunt relationshipwith respect to the master control switch so that the motor 49, upon theopening of the master control switch, will continue in operation unlessand until the mechanism reaches a latched position in which the drivingcam 55 is out of engagement with the wheel member 51. This may beaccomplished simply by arranging the switch 13 to be normally open whenthe plate 66 is in wheel latching position, the switch 13 closing andremaining closed so long as the latch 59 is in released position.

As shown in Figure 5, I have illustrated the application of theinvention in installations comprising a relatively large number ofelements I to be moved. In large installations, it is desirable toarrange the members I5 in groups, each group being driven by a separatecounter-shaft 31. Each counter-shaft 31 is provided with itscorresponding drive shaft 43, and each shaft 43 is fitted with a camdisk 51 having a corresponding arm 53 carrying a driving cam 55. Each ofthe arms 53 may be driven through a separate reduction gear 93, and allof the gears 63 may be powered from a single drive motor 59. In thisfashion, the relatively heavy load, which otherwise might require anexcessively heavy countershaft 31, is divided up so that each shaft31-is not overloaded. The danger of delayed action, due to whip ortwisting of the shaft in remote portions of an excessively longcounter-shaft, is thus avoided.

As shown in Figures 6, '1 and 8, each member I5 may be fitted with a camdisk 51 which, as shown, may be secured directly on the spindle whichrotatably carries the member I5. The driving means, in the embodimentshown in Figures 5, 6 and '7, comprises a bar 15 carrying cam means 55in the form of driving pins spaced on the arm to correspond with thespacement of the axes of the members I5. The bar 15, at its oppositeends, is connected on arms 11 which are mounted for rotation in such away that each of the pins 55 are caused to travel a circular path 5Ihaving tangential relationship with two of the slots of thecorresponding disk 51. Obviously any other expedient for causing theseveral pins 55 to travel similar paths 5I tangentially with respect tothe slots in the disks 51 may be employed. In the illustratedembodiment, however, the arms 11 are mounted, as shown in Figure 7, onspindles 19 driven through suitable reduction gearing 53 by electricmotors 49 powered from any suitable power source. The motors 49preferably comprise induction motors powered from a common source ofalternating current whereby the same are caused to operate in unison andat the same speed.

The latching means for securing the members I5 against rotation, asshown in Figures 6, '1 and 8, comprise spaced pins 59 mounted on a bar8I which is slidingly supported on the frame 3| immediately below thedisks 51, whereby the pins 59 are in position to enter thenon-tangentially positioned slots of the disks 51. Sliding movement ofthe bar 8| is guided by pins 83 mounted on the frame 3! and extending inslots 85 formed in the bar, preferably at the opposite ends thereof. Theframe 3| has an opening 81 beneath the bar 8| through which a pin 89extends. This pin is fastened on the bar, preferably at its mid point,and forms an anchorage for one end of a spring 9 I the other end ofwhich is secured to a lug 93 which is formed on the frame 3!, the springoperating normally to urge the bar BI in a direction on the frame tocause the pins 89 to extend in latching position in the slots of thedisks 51. The arm 8| has a plurality of fingers 95 which extend inposition to be engaged by the edge of the bar 15 when the same is inposition such that the cam pins 55 are about to enter the tangentiallyarranged slots of the disks 51 in order thus to move the bar 8I to aposition unlatching the pins 59 from the nontangential slots of thedisks. After all of the disks have been turned by the cam action of thepins 55 in the active slots BI, the bar 15 is designed to release thefingers 95 and permit the bar BI to return to latching position on theframe 3|. The relative position of the driving and latching pins withrespect to the slots in thedisk 51 is illustrated graphically in Figure8, wherein the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G represent successivepositions of the driving pin 55, while the letters A, B, C, D, E, F andG represent corresponding positions of the latching pin 59.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the driving cam 55 ismounted on the plate 99 which, in turn, is fast on the shaft 65. The camfollowing disk 51 is in the form of a Hat plate and has the grooves BIformed therein by means of spaced-apart parallel straps 2llI, as clearlyshown in Figure 10. These straps 29I are secured to the under face ofthe disk 51 by means of fiat headed screws 293 and other headed screws295, Figure 10. The cam disk or plate 51 is splined or otherwise fast onthe shaft 43, as indicated in Figure 10. The plate or disk 51 is latchedor released by latch means 59, which comprises a frame or yoke 291having spacedapart longitudinal members 299. The members 209 are held inspaced relationship by means of cross members 2, H3 and 2I5, havingtheir ends operatively connected to spaced longitudinal side members299, Figure 9. The frame or yoke 291 is mounted for sliding movement onthe hubs of the members 51 and 99 which are grooved, respectively, at2I1, Figure 10, to receive slidingly the members 209 which extend onopposite sides of the said hubs. The cross members H3 and 2I5 engageopposite sides of the plate 99, which acts as a cam to move the frame291 longitudinally. The frame cross piece 2 is cut out on one side, asindicated at 2I9, to

slide upon and latchingly receive two of adjacent bolts 295 in order tosecure the disk 51 against rotation when the frame is in the positiondetermined by the disk 99 while the driving cam 55 is out of engagementwith the slot GI. The slide is proportioned so as to release the headsof the latching bolts 205 as the cam member 55 enters a slot Bl to movethe disk, the cam plate 51 remaining unlatched for turning movement solong as the driving cam 55 is in driving engagement in a slot 6|.

It will be appreciated, of course, that when driving a three-sided signwith a driving cam formed with six slots, as shown in Figures 9 and 10,it is necessary to provide a two-to-one gear ratio between the shaft 43and the counter-shaft '31 (Figure 4).

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantageswill be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages,the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purposeof illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means connecting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center of said path, said follower member having radial grooves forreceiving said cam when the grooves are positioned tangential to thecircular path of the cam, said grooves being equally spaced in thefollower member with adjacent grooves subtending an angle at said axissuch that both grooves of a pair of said grooves may simultaneouslyextend tangential with respect to the circular path of the driving cam,and a latch member movable radially with respect to said axis andadapted alternately to latch said follower against and release it forturning movement about said axis.

2. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means connecting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center 2 of said path, said follower member having radial groovesfor receiving said cam when the grooves are positioned tangential to thecircular path of the cam, said grooves being equally spaced in thefollower member with adjacent grooves subtending an angle at said axissuch that both grooves of a pair of said grooves may simultaneouslyextend tangential with respect to the circular path of the driving cam,and a latch member movable radially with respect to said axis inposition to enter each of the grooves when it is not, but when othersare, tangentially positioned with respect to the circular path of thedriving cam in order to latch the follower member against rotation.

3. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means con necting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center of said path, said follower member having radial grooves forreceiving said cam when the grooves are positioned tangential to thecircular path of the .cam, said .grooves being equally spaced in thefollower member with adjacent grooves subtending an angle at said axissuch that both grooves .of a pair of said grooves may simultaneouslyextend tangential with respect to the circular path of the driving cam,a frame member reciprocable radially with respect to said axis, andco-operating latch means on the frame and follower members comprising aprojection on one member and means forming a recess on the other tolatchingly receive the projection when a pair of grooves of the followermember are tangentially positioned with respect to the circular path .ofthe driving cam.

4. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means connecting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center of said path, said follower member having radial grooves forreceiving said cam when the grooves other of said grooves aretangentially positioned with respect to said circular path whereby tolatch the follower member against rotation.

5. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means connecting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center of said path, said follower member having radial grooves forreceiving said cam when the grooves are positioned tangential to thecircular path of the cam, said grooves being equally spaced in thefollower member with adjacent grooves subtending an angle at said axissuch that both grooves of a pair of said grooves may simultaneouslyextend tangential with respect to the circular path of the driving cam,and a latch member movable radially with respect to said axis andadapted alternately to latch said follower against and release it forturning movement about said axis, said latch member being drivinglyconnected with and movable by said motor in timed relationship with themovement of the driving cam, whereby to release said follower member asthe eam member enters a groove to turn the follower member and to latchwith the follower member as the cam member leaves the groove afterturning the follower member.

6. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means connecting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center of said path, said follower member having radial grooves forreceiving said cam when the grooves are positioned tangential to thecircular path of the cam, said grooves being equally spaced in thefollower member with adjacent grooves subtending an angle at said axissuch that both grooves of a pair of said grooves may simultaneouslyextend tangential with respect to the circular path of the driving cam,a latch member movable radially with respect to said axis and adaptedalternately to latch said follower against and release it for turningmovement about said axis, and an actuating member driven in a circularpath by said motor in position to drivingly engage said latch member toimpart simple harmonic motion thereto in releasing it from andre-latching it with said follower member.

'7. The combination with a sign having a movable part and a drivingmotor, of means connecting the motor to move the part intermittently,comprising a driving cam movable in a circular path about a fixed centerand drivingly connected with said motor, a follower member drivinglyconnected with said movable part and turnable about an axis spaced fromthe center of said path, said follower member having radial grooves forreceiving said cam when the grooves are positioned tangential to thecircular path of the cam, said grooves being equally spaced in thefollower member with adjacent grooves subtending an angle at said axissuch that both grooves of a pair of said grooves may simultaneouslyextend tangential with respect to the circular path of the driving cam,a latch member movable radially with respect to said axis and adaptedalternately to latch said follower against and release it for turningmovement about said axis, spring means normally urging the latch membertoward latching position with respect to the follower member, and meansoperated by said motor in timed relation with the movement of thedriving cam and operable to release said latch member from said followermember against the influence of said spring means while said cam memberhas driving engagement with the follower member in any of said grooves.

HANS U. HJERMSTAD. CARL J. KOPP.

